how many is too many?

[katie, max & penny]

I think bunnies are addicting. I really and truly do. Something about the seratonin.

 

But as yall know, I have Max and Penny. But I’m thinking that this summer I may add another… Now, as I become more addicted, I would like to know, how many rabbits do y’all have? and how long have you been in the “bunny business”?

 

[lancy]

I have one, Fluffy, and i don’t think i would have more. Fluffy is so jealous that any other bunny would make him unhappy
I’m on the “Bunny Bus” for 4 months

[luvmybunny]

Omigosh!! I was going to ask the same question! Great minds think alike?

Currently, I have 2 bunnies and I am adding a 3rd on Thursday! I have had a rabbit since I was 9, but now I know so much more. (I am almost 30!!) I just love rabbits so much, they are amazing animals and have great personalities and mine always bring a smile to my face! I wish that I could add more, but my boyfriend may have to commit me somewhere….lol

[Deleted User]

My observation was that 2 buns were easy, actually for me hardly more work once they were bonded… starting at 3 buns you are looking at major habitat dimension increase. I have now watched my friend’s 4 rabbits for a couple of months and 4 are positively a lot of work more, even once bonded. You really start to see the litter material and hay bag going empty. However, if you love them, it can be very enjoyable to spend the extra time. Just make sure you have the space and $$$, especially b/c of the higher incidence of vet calls with multiples.

[mrmac]

I have three. I agree with Petzy, 2 were easy, then bonding my third changed everything. A bigger pen, definitely the hay goes much quicker.

[MimzMum]

I was a cat and dog person…till within the space of two years, I wound up being bunny mom to three. If I had known how delightful it is to have bunny companions, I would’ve skipped the dogs and cats…probably…maybe…lolz.
I would still like to add one more, so I have an even set of two boys and two girls, but the bonding would be a huge issue. I haven’t managed that with the ones I have yet!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Totally agree-Two is perfect.
And Agree again-they are ADDICTIVE!!

I have four. I had three, and my threesome ended up being two pairs-which seems to happen! It’s a lot of work and in terms of habitat size? We had to get a three bedroom so they could have their own room & have enough room (for them and all their stuff!!!)

But that’s me-there are members who have MANY more rabbits and not only have the time for ‘rabbit chores’ that go along with, but have time to spend lots of time with them.

Personally if I have one more molting rabbit in my house I will need a maid because I will just collapse!!!

[Elrohwen]

I currently have one bun, but I would love to have more!!

Currently we’re in a townhouse and the main level has an open floor plan with the kitchen, dining room, and living room. We didn’t really use the dining room much so it has become perfect for Otto’s space (though we do need to be able to reclaim it if people come over), and he gets the run of the whole floor while we’re home. If we got a second bunny, it would either cut down on Otto’s habitat space and reduce his run time (which would kill me, because he loves hanging out with us and watching tv), or take up our whole spare bedroom (which doesn’t have room to spare as it is!). So I think no second bunny for us right now. If we had two already bonded we would be fine with space, but when I get a second I want to spend a few months bonding with the new bun myself instead of throwing her right in with Otto, and we just don’t have the space for that.

Whenever we get our own house, I would definitely like to get a second bunny to bond to Otto (and I’d love to get a big one!). They are addicting and if I had the room and time I would have many more. I don’t know if I’d like to keep more than 2 at a time, but I would definitely like to foster at some point.

Oh, and I’ve had Otto for 5 months now. We got him because we couldn’t have a dog and wanted a pet, but I think we’re bunny people for life now. We’ll get a dog or two some day, but we’ll also always have bunnies in our lives.

[Sage Cat]

To many bunnies – there is no such thing!

[kralspace]

Never too many bunnies, just not enough house!

[Deleted User]

I have to say there comes a point when it gets to being too much. Even with a huge house, and unlimited hay… what about vet care and time spent? Plus, I think by the time you get into the higher-number multiples, litter habits change. They become more like in a warren, where the lesser buns don’t have provileges to some of the dominant buns’ litter spots.
4 is still feasible but a considerable time commitment.

[katie, max & penny]

mrmac, how was the tri-bond? and anyone who has more than one, do you feel like the more you have, the less they are interested in you?

[Lara]

Now that I have two, it keeps creeping into my mind that I want a third one, but realistically speaking, I just don’t think I could handle three… what with vet bills, hay and litter. It’s just too much money and I want to be able to ensure the best care for the two that I have. Still… I can imagine a bunny-cuddle-sandwich, and it’s a cute (and tempting) thought… lol.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I have 3 unbonded rabbits and it is a lot of work. The cuteness is worth it though, for sure. But 3 is definitely my limit, despite how tempting every bunny I see is. Just the buns and their stuff takes up a whole room in my house!!!

[Beka27]

Two is perfect. I think that is the general consensus. People who have 3 or 4 did start out with one single or a pair (I can’t think of anyone who STARTED out with 3 or 4 at one time.)

Pairs are amazing: You get double cuteness, you get to see the interactions between the bonded pair. A pair is so different from a single bun where there is no one else for them to relate to.

It’s very tempting to add “just one more”, but you need to take into consideration what is IMPORTANT to you, to your family, house and time constraints… Consider your IMMEDIATE situation (money and time) and your foreseeable FUTURE (moving within a year or two, changing jobs, school, adding to your family).

Are perfect litter habits important to you, do you only like to clean one enclosure, do you have time to supervise for (double) daily playtime? Good behaviors your buns have right now may fly out the door when an intruder is brought onto their turf. Bonded pairs can break-up over the presence of a new bun, even if they cannot see/interact with the new bunny.

I love what Petzy said about buns becoming more warren-like in a higher number situation. That makes a lot of sense. You’ll see all kinds of interactions between them, some desirable, some not.

In your case Katie, your pair is still new. You can always add a third in the future, no reason to rush into anything. If you still feel this way in a year or two, and life is flexible enough to allow another, I say give it a try. You could foster for a local rescue and try and find a good match that way, without the pressure.

[luvmybunny]

 OOPS, I was trying to cut an paste my reponse to my new post and deleted it!  Sorry about that!!

[Beka27]

Bunnymum, have you tried bonding Bella and Valen? Most buns will reject a second bunny at first, but with a little patience and time (usually not more than 3-4 weeks) you can have a bonded pair. I would feel really bad for Valen not having a chance at a mate, unless you sincerely tried for a long time to make it work and it’s impossible. This is how people frequently go from 3 buns to 4… the 3rd bun gets lonely.

[luvmybunny]

Posted By Beka27 on 09/15/2009 04:43 PM
Bunnymum, have you tried bonding Bella and Valen? Most buns will reject a second bunny at first, but with a little patience and time (usually not more than 3-4 weeks) you can have a bonded pair. I would feel really bad for Valen not having a chance at a mate, unless you sincerely tried for a long time to make it work and it’s impossible. This is how people frequently go from 3 buns to 4… the 3rd bun gets lonely.

Beka – I have been trying for almost 3 weeks. He completely ignores her. He has more interest in toys, me or my boyfriend. I don’t know. I have tried a smaller room, our bathroom and a playpen, still nothing. I don’t know. He’s a happy guy, always doing binkies and zoomies around and generally seems to enjoy human companionship more.  I was hoping that he and Bella would be a good match, I can keep trying though. Thanks for your help

 

[Beka27]

I responded in your new thread bunnymum, but I will here too briefly… ignoring is actually not a bad sign. It is much, much better than aggression which is a common result. Keep going!

[luvmybunny]

Well since my last 2 posts here, I have decided with talking with you all here and with my boyfriend, we decided to not get a 3rd bunny and see how things go with Bella and Valen. I am going to have Bella spayed (I am scared!) but hopefully this will work to our advantage. Thanks for everybunny’s opinion and I am perfectly satisified with just 2 bunnies

[Monkeybun]

i can’t wait until I get Monkey fixed next month, and can get her a friend. Thankfully, I have all the time in the world, and hubby ahs a great job, so we can afford any vet bill that comes our way for our Bunny Overlords

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